RE: Metrinch?

["Dan Sinclair" <sinclair@prospro.com>]

>>They also slip on and off a nut easier than many conventional
sockets, so using them can be quicker.<<

This is an excellent point that I forgot.  I don't know how many nuts I've
had to pry out of a socket because they were pinched into the socket and
stuck.  Doesn't happen with Metrinch, and again, makes me think that there's
more corner rounding and distortion going on in standard sockets than some
might think...

Dan Sinclair
1988 Audi 90, 68K mi.
Photo and details online at:
http://131.107.68.28/a4.org/registry/details.asp?car=761

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net
[mailto:owner-quattro@coimbra.ans.net]On Behalf Of Enis, Robert O
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 1999 8:37 AM
To: 'Quattro List'
Cc: 'JGriff@pobox.com'
Subject: RE: Metrinch?


Jim Griffin asked:
Just curious... has anyone seen and/or tried these Metrinch tools?
http://www.metrinch.com

My input:
I first came across Metrinch tools many years ago when they were sold at
Kmart under their BenchTop brand.  Kmart hasn't carried them for some time.
I think my experiences with the sockets are applicable to the current
Metrinch tools, which are now being sold at Sears, BTW.  I purchased a set
of 3/8" sockets with extension and rachet.  The set has been used
extensively on 5 VWs, 4 Audis, 3 Mazdas, and 1 Nissan.  The sockets, IME, do
exactly what they claim.  They are the best sockets I've ever seen for
damaged nuts!  They also slip on and off a nut easier than many conventional
sockets, so using them can be quicker.  The barrel of the socket is slightly
larger that a regular socket, so there might be an occassional problem with
very tight locations.  I've used the sockets in one instance to break loose
a nut that broke a high-quality regular socket.

>From an engineering viewpoint the idea of applying force behind the corner
instead of at the corner is sound.  If I was starting over in the 'tool
collection' business, I would purchase Metrich because one set can be
interchangeable with SAE and Metric.  I would have eventully bought
additional wrenches years ago; but Kmart stopped selling them and, for
years, I was unable to find Metrinch.  I assumed they had gone out of
business.

That's my experience......other's may have a different opinion.

Bob Enis
Knoxville, TN
'89 200tq
'90 100